In Finnish grocery shops you can find several dairy products. It might be confusing that packages are quite similar.
MILKS
The colour of a milk carton tells the fat content of each milk. It might vary in different stores but mostly the colours are similar. Fat-free milk is marked with the lightest blue carton. So the darker milk carton is the more high in fat milk is. Red milk (täysmaito) is often used in baking or served with coffee because of the high fat content. Rasvaton maito = fat-free milk Ykkösmaito = fat content of the milk is 1% Kevytmaito = semi-skimmed milk Täysmaito = milk with high fat content
Piimä (=buttermilk) is something truly Finnish. It is normally located near to milks and since the package looks very similar, it is easy to confuse it with milk. Piimä has a characteristically sour taste caused by lactic acid bacteria.
CHEESES
Cheese is not that cheap in Finland, but you can save some money by buying big packages and a cheese-cutter. We have also sliced cheese.
Salty feta is also named as "salaattijuusto" which tastes almost the same and is suitable for salads.
Raejuusto is low-fat cheese and has a high protein content. Raejuusto is quite similar to cottage cheese and is usually added to salads or other cold dishes or just enjoyed on its own.
Leipäjuusto (=Finnish squeaky cheese) is a mild cheese that originates from Northern Finland. Traditionally it is served with cloudberries or cloudberry jam.
OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS
Viili resembles kefir or yogurt but has gelatinous consistency. It is usually eaten on its own. Viilis is a sweatened and flavoured version of viili.
Kermaviili (sour cream) can be used in dips for crisps or vegetables or as a cold dressing for fish or meat. Just season it with salt, pepper, herbs, garlic, chili etc.
Rahka (=quark) is very rich in protein and in Finland it is often used as a breakfast or snack with berries or fruits. The creamy texture makes a perfect base for some sweet desserts (for example, berry quark) but the taste is also a bit sour, so it might be a good idea to add some sugar.
Smetana is soured cream that has high fat content and is suitable for cooking and baking.
MILKS
The colour of a milk carton tells the fat content of each milk. It might vary in different stores but mostly the colours are similar. Fat-free milk is marked with the lightest blue carton. So the darker milk carton is the more high in fat milk is. Red milk (täysmaito) is often used in baking or served with coffee because of the high fat content.
Rasvaton maito = fat-free milk
Ykkösmaito = fat content of the milk is 1%
Kevytmaito = semi-skimmed milk
Täysmaito = milk with high fat content
Piimä (=buttermilk) is something truly Finnish. It is normally located near to milks and since the package looks very similar, it is easy to confuse it with milk. Piimä has a characteristically sour taste caused by lactic acid bacteria.
CHEESES
Cheese is not that cheap in Finland, but you can save some money by buying big packages and a cheese-cutter. We have also sliced cheese.
Salty feta is also named as "salaattijuusto" which tastes almost the same and is suitable for salads.
Raejuusto is low-fat cheese and has a high protein content. Raejuusto is quite similar to cottage cheese and is usually added to salads or other cold dishes or just enjoyed on its own.
Leipäjuusto (=Finnish squeaky cheese) is a mild cheese that originates from Northern Finland. Traditionally it is served with cloudberries or cloudberry jam.
OTHER DAIRY PRODUCTS
Viili resembles kefir or yogurt but has gelatinous consistency. It is usually eaten on its own.
Viilis is a sweatened and flavoured version of viili.
Kermaviili (sour cream) can be used in dips for crisps or vegetables or as a cold dressing for fish or meat. Just season it with salt, pepper, herbs, garlic, chili etc.
Rahka (=quark) is very rich in protein and in Finland it is often used as a breakfast or snack with berries or fruits. The creamy texture makes a perfect base for some sweet desserts (for example, berry quark) but the taste is also a bit sour, so it might be a good idea to add some sugar.
Smetana is soured cream that has high fat content and is suitable for cooking and baking.